HEKS/EPER is making a difference in the «Access to land and resources» in Romania

HEKS/EPER has been cooperating with the Reformed Church in Romania (RCR) for many years now. The RCR is present mainly in rural Transylvania, which is severely affected by out-migration and population ageing. The RCR is often the only official institution in small villages. It discharges its social responsibility through welfare activities such as the running of a home care service for elderly and care-dependent people in some 180 localities, as well as a women's shelter and a counseling centre for victims of domestic violence. Another priority is social and economic inclusion for the Roma, who are subject to discrimination. This entails above all better housing and improved access to education, healthcare, work and incomes.

Facts

13500 elderly and dependent people benefitted from the home care service in 2017.

2400 Roma young people experiencing difficulties at school attended remedial classes throughout the year.

Rural communities need unimpeded access to natural resources such as land, water, pastures, savannahs or forests if they are to develop. The possibility to use these resources is critical to fighting hunger and poverty. Agriculture is, after all, the most important source of income for many rural communities. With crop farming, small plantations, livestock rearing, fishing or gathering they can secure their food supply and generate income by selling their produce. Land also serves communities as living space and reinforces cultural and spiritual identity. Many rural communities still lack access to land or risk losing it despite existing or traditional law. HEKS/EPER therefore helps them, through numerous projects, to secure long-term access to land and resources, both practically and legally.